<p>With all due respect, and I am writing this with a smile, but..</p>
<p>why on earth do some Chinese people adopt an "English" name, instead of using their own original name?</p>
<p>I know the arguments:</p>
<p>1) foreigners either can't remember or pronounce Chinese names easily (I disagree);
2) it's "hip" to adopt an English name (OK, I can get into that; changing hairstyles also gives you a sense of newness about yourself, which empowers);
3) due to China's relative cultural vacuum, there's a lack of true identity, hence it's logical to go out and acquire an English name.</p>
<p>I'm just astounded when I meet someone who introduces him/herself to me as "Johnny" or "Persephone" or some other Victorian-age sounding name.. to me, an Asian face does not match the sound of a western-sounding name. "Oh, hi! I'm Bernadette!". No, you're not! :-D You don't look like a Bernadette to me!</p>
<p>Am I suffering first-generation-change-your-name-shock? :-)</p>

LZ, are you not from a country where there are Asian people with English names? I do find it fairly silly when people use English names if they don't speak English. However, most companies require English names of their employees if they have foreign contact,
presumably mostly for the first reason above. My name is Minger (北京话：明儿rrrrrrrrrr)because people can neither pronounce nor remember my foreign name. I met a "Smile" once. She made me smile. Easier to remember than whoever the girl sitting next to her was,
but that might have been because the girl sitting next to her wasn't trying to bang me.

Hahahahaha ... and shall we start counting those foreigners who have a great sense of humor and dont mind being given some really strange Chinese names in their local IDs??

To a large extent, some Chinese, or Asian in general, dont realize how odd or strange is it to have such name ... we have a girl in the office who named herself "Rock", I cannot remember the reason though ...

For most Chinese, however, changing their English names would be just as easy as changing their iPhone shell (or casing) ... and at the end, it is just a name ..

In accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, every citizen is entitled to the right of name, ergo, I can name myself Android No.18, Catherine the Great, Uranium 235 or whatever the hell I want and that is none of your business.
Of course, you may reserve the right to post silly questions like "Why some foreigners use rare Chinese names like Cao Cao, Zuanzi or Da Shan".

With due respects, Persephone is Greek, not English, and it means something which English names can't. And maybe difficult for you to see, it isn't necessarily true that all valuable culture or ideas are "ENGLISH". Surprise you maybe, I also have a Japanese
name Mitsuko - “あたしただ夺う侧にまわるうと思つただけよ”, which is beyond the comprehension of people like you.

Using a foreign name is usually a sign of appreciation towards a diverse culture. Of course, close-minded like you have every right and freedom to stick to your "cool" names, Joepius, for example. I could have said it sounds ridiculous but I chose not to.
I'd rather see you using it all your life and give everyone else a laugh from time to time. :)

@ Pomeh, you may think that Internet Surveillance is only the power abuse of China's authority, which makes you feel better in general that you live in the wealthy and democratic heaven. But the fact is, you are being watched 24/7 as well, just that you
are not aware of it because your Gov. is much smarter after WW2.

If it was official name that you were talking about, a simple application form to change the name is sufficient for our PSB computer. Of course, Chinese people can also use typical English names on their HK SAR or Macau passports.

Last remark, it may be hard for many people to realize, you may sit there criticizing and judging others all day long but that doesn't make you right or superior.

Uk Gov. promulgated the most comprehensive Data Protection Act which was lated adopted by the EU legislation. They realize that the abuse of surveillance and privacy is fatal to social governance a lot earlier than many other countries.

Throughout the whole history of the UK, during which most of their folks were busy shagging everything that moved and burning everything down, they become aware that maintaining a wealthy and happy island is more sensible than guzzling up half of the earth
and assume the responsibilities for all walks of life.

The British assumed their honor to fight against the Nazi Germany by all means to the last minute during WW2, with the best military strategy and execution of intelligence services.

To this date, London Stock Exchange's key indicators, fluctuated with market rules, are the benchmark for the rest of the financial world;

UK takes up 40% of the arms trade worldwide.

UK is the leading country in stem cell study and maintains the biggest gene bank.

UK is so far the only country which provides genuine public-funded medical services - the NHS

UK's intelligence services is at the moment the training center for CIA, also, Scotland Yard for criminal investigation professionals, including police from China.

UK has the best physicist of our time and the father of AI

Of course, I could probably write more but it is time for my scheduled prison meal. You guys discuss.